[MaC] Arriving at the Party ... Arabella, Pamela, Michael & Philip

[Nowsounds]

>
> The lift rose steadily through the block until it reached the fifth floor.
> There, as they disembarked, they saw that the door of the Fitzroys' flat 
> was
> open, and Anton Barowenski, a cigarette in one hand, was deep in
> conversation with Miss Nola Diamond, the film actress and another of Marty
> Fitzroy's clients.  Both fell silent as the other three joined them - a
> silence broken only by the clank of the lift as it started back down again
> .. and steps on the stairs.
>
> "Everyone is in the lounge," said Barowenski.  "Perhaps you would care to
> join them."  He seemed slightly agitated.

Arabella admired and liked the young pianist, but did not know him well 
enough to ask why he seemed distressed. "Yes, of course," she said, with a 
smile for Barowenski. "I'm afraid we were running just a bit late and it was 
all my fault. I was seized with a sudden fit of indecisiveness..."
>
> The RAF officer, Philip Powell, appeared at this point rounded the corner 
> of
> the stairs, having climbed from his floor.
>
> "Excuse me," said Nola.  "I look a fright - I'll go and powder my nose."
>
> Nothing could, in fact, have been further from the truth - she looked
> radiant.  But she slipped away down the corridor towards the bathroom.
> Barowenski shrugged.
>
> "She is wishing to make an entrance," he said.  "She is a star."
>
> He indicated the stairs.  "We should go up, perhaps.  Most are here, I
> think."

Arabella answered his shrug with one of her own. Nola Diamond was attractive 
in the modern way, she supposed, but she didn't see anything of the true 
'star' about the woman. A bit common, she thought, but did not say. 
"Absolutely, Mr. Barowenski." She gave a little nod to Pamela and the two 
officers, and started in. She had never concerned herself about 'making an 
entrance' and doubted that she ever  would...